Cheers and Jeers: Feb. 16, 2013

Published: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 5:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 15, 2013 at 5:59 p.m.

Grandparent scam — A brazen group of scam artists is targeting you or your loved ones. Watch out.

The scam goes something like this: You get a phone call telling you a loved one is in jail and that a certain amount of money is needed to bail him or her out.

This scam is particularly dastardly because it targets grandparents and plays on their love of their grandchildren.

Don’t fall victim to it.

Local people have said they believed the scam and lost thousands of dollars just trying to help their loved ones.

“The way they did things, it just floored me,” one victim said. “I don’t want anyone else to get caught.”

Police officials warn people to check out any such story before sending money to get a loved one out of jail. If you are in doubt of the legitimacy of a call, contact the local sheriff’s office and have someone check it out for you.

Trying to do the right thing is an admirable gift. But sometimes it can lead to victimization. Make sure you are helping the person you think you are helping.

CHEERS

A high honor — Right here in our midst we have a nationally recognized library system. Congratulations.

“We have put Terrebonne Parish on the map and made history,” said Mary Cosper Leboeuf, director of the Terrebonne Library System.

That they have.

The library system is one of 15 nationwide to be named a finalist for the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service — the highest honor bestowed by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

“This year’s finalists exemplify the many wonderful ways museums and libraries can respond to the needs and wants of the communities they serve,” said institute director Susan Hildreth.

We are proud to call one of the distinguished finalists our own.

Job well done!

CHEERS

Open meetings — Terrebonne Parish president Michel Claudet will be holding a series of town hall style meetings to give local residents a roundup of projects going on around the area.

That is just the kind of thing we need — more chances to interact directly with our public officials, giving them a chance to share vital information and the public a chance to ask questions of their representatives.

For the complete list of meeting times, dates and places, see the parish’s website, tpcg.org.

Once you see the list, figure out which meeting or meetings you can attend. Then make plans to go.

After you take in some of the information available, you might think of questions you didn’t even know you had.

“We are excited to get started with our latest round of town hall meetings,” Claudet said. “Our town hall meetings have evolved throughout the years, and we feel that this new extended schedule and added locations will make it easier and more convenient for families and residents to hear about the latest progress taking place in our community.”

That is a welcome, refreshing approach to sharing with the public.

CHEERS

Another star — Get ready for yet another local face to become famous across the nation.

Bayou Boeuf teen Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe is the latest person to join the History Channel’s hit reality show “Swamp People.”

Loupe, 16, is sure to wow the national audience.

“I hope this is a great stepping stone in my career,” Loupe said. “I want to become a great alligator wrangler, and I hope through the show people can see I’m capable of doing a job most wouldn’t dare to do.”

Watch for him on the show, whose fourth season premiered Thursday night.

<p class="bold allcaps">JEERS</p>
<p>Grandparent scam — A brazen group of scam artists is targeting you or your loved ones. Watch out.</p><p>The scam goes something like this: You get a phone call telling you a loved one is in jail and that a certain amount of money is needed to bail him or her out.</p><p>This scam is particularly dastardly because it targets grandparents and plays on their love of their grandchildren.</p><p>Don't fall victim to it.</p><p>Local people have said they believed the scam and lost thousands of dollars just trying to help their loved ones.</p><p>“The way they did things, it just floored me,” one victim said. “I don't want anyone else to get caught.”</p><p>Police officials warn people to check out any such story before sending money to get a loved one out of jail. If you are in doubt of the legitimacy of a call, contact the local sheriff's office and have someone check it out for you.</p><p>Trying to do the right thing is an admirable gift. But sometimes it can lead to victimization. Make sure you are helping the person you think you are helping.</p><h3>CHEERS</h3>
<p>A high honor — Right here in our midst we have a nationally recognized library system. Congratulations.</p><p>“We have put Terrebonne Parish on the map and made history,” said Mary Cosper Leboeuf, director of the Terrebonne Library System.</p><p>That they have.</p><p>The library system is one of 15 nationwide to be named a finalist for the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service — the highest honor bestowed by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.</p><p>“This year's finalists exemplify the many wonderful ways museums and libraries can respond to the needs and wants of the communities they serve,” said institute director Susan Hildreth.</p><p>We are proud to call one of the distinguished finalists our own.</p><p>Job well done!</p><h3>CHEERS</h3>
<p>Open meetings — Terrebonne Parish president Michel Claudet will be holding a series of town hall style meetings to give local residents a roundup of projects going on around the area.</p><p>That is just the kind of thing we need — more chances to interact directly with our public officials, giving them a chance to share vital information and the public a chance to ask questions of their representatives.</p><p>For the complete list of meeting times, dates and places, see the parish's website, tpcg.org.</p><p>Once you see the list, figure out which meeting or meetings you can attend. Then make plans to go.</p><p>After you take in some of the information available, you might think of questions you didn't even know you had.</p><p>“We are excited to get started with our latest round of town hall meetings,” Claudet said. “Our town hall meetings have evolved throughout the years, and we feel that this new extended schedule and added locations will make it easier and more convenient for families and residents to hear about the latest progress taking place in our community.”</p><p>That is a welcome, refreshing approach to sharing with the public.</p><h3>CHEERS</h3>
<p>Another star — Get ready for yet another local face to become famous across the nation.</p><p>Bayou Boeuf teen Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe is the latest person to join the History Channel's hit reality show “Swamp People.”</p><p>Loupe, 16, is sure to wow the national audience.</p><p>“I hope this is a great stepping stone in my career,” Loupe said. “I want to become a great alligator wrangler, and I hope through the show people can see I'm capable of doing a job most wouldn't dare to do.”</p><p>Watch for him on the show, whose fourth season premiered Thursday night.</p><p>Editorials represent the opinions of</p><p>the newspaper, not of any individual.</p>